The Affectionate Player - Part2

Chapter 17

"That was some show, young lady, but it looks like you're in need of something to quench your thirst. Can I buy you a drink?" Turning to my right I'm taken aback as I come face to face with the tall, dark stranger and his heated stare.

"No, thank you. We're in rounds, I'm afraid."

Distracted by taut tanned muscles barely hidden beneath his T-shirt, I'm fixated as he signals to a barman and placing his order my gaze follows his reflection to the mirror beyond the bar. In contrast to my normal conduct, my eyes quench their own thirst greedily drinking him in.

"You know, I can feel you watching me," he says teasing. Dropping my head pronto, the shame of being caught now heats my face. "But it's fine. I like when women watch me." Lowering his mouth his warm breath escapes teasing my ear.

"Especially one with such a deliciously impure mind as yours." With my pulse racing my eyes dart to his, and low in my groin I feel myself tremble. Mortified by my wayward thoughts I make to leave until a gentle tug on my elbow prevents me.

"Hold on, you're not shy all of a sudden, are you?"

"I...em... We were just..."

"Jesus, you are. But I thought..." As my face reddens further I can no longer hide my disgrace and steeling a glimpse I note his expression softening before he hands us all a drink.

"Thanks! But what did we do to deserve this?" Henri asks our impromptu guest.

"Actually, it was your friend here. She made me forget why I wanted to leave. And your name is...?" he asks, turning his attention to me. Waiting for someone to answer in my place I stare at him in silence.

"Can you talk at all, lovely lady, or is your mind still tied up with erotica?"

"This is Connie," Ron pipes up. "Connie Donahue."

"Actually, it's Jacob," I correct, finding my voice. "My name is Connie Jacob." For a moment his expression falters, a knowing smile finding his lips.

"Well, hello Connie Donahue-Jacob. I'm Shane," he laughs, winking.

"Are you taking the piss out of my friend?" Henri butts in clearly amused.

"Sorry. I'm being an arse now."

"Apology accepted and in that case, handsome, are you joining us?" Ron crows, grinning at me.

"I'd say that depends on Connie, wouldn't you?" Curious about the tall, dark stranger I find myself agreeing.

"You can stay, but no more teasing. I think you've had your pound of flesh, don't you?"

"Agreed. Shall we grab a table?" Smiling he leads the way to where his friends have gathered and slipping into the booth Shane takes the seat beside me. Placing their drinks on the table my escorts remain standing, and turning Henri shouts above the music.

"You don't mind if we dance for a bit? I love this track!" Before I can object they've disappeared into the crowd.

"So, Connie Donahue-Jacob. What do you do?" Shane asks, his dark eyes unnerving me.

"I'm at university studying business but I've kind of taken a break. It's my final year."

"Oh? Why's that?"

"Just family stuff. Anyway, how about you? What's your line of work?"

"I train horses. My family introduced me to them when I was four years old and I've been in love ever since."

"Really? I like them but I'm not sure they like me. I've never seemed to get on with any." I frown as I recall how my mother and Marcus once enrolled me in lessons, but having fallen off twice during the first one I'd been too frightened to return much to my parent's disappointment; that being the first of many.